174 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



In such a case, his conversation was unre- 

 strained, full of wit and humour, though he 

 always expressed his opinion with delicate con- 

 sideration, and was ever master of the word. 

 Humboldt knew many languages : the English- 

 man praised his pure English, the Frenchman 

 his Parisian accent. 



About thirty years ago, Humboldt rose 

 regularly at four o'clock in the morning during 

 the summer months; received visitors so early 

 as eight o'clock, and only about twelve years 

 ago he stated occasionally, that he was com- 

 pelled to pursue his scientific labours at a time 

 when most people were asleep, because he was 

 during the ordinary business hours obliged to be 

 with the King; but he could, speaking from 

 experience, content himself with four hours of 

 rest. In his latter days, however, after he had 

 reached the age of eighty, nature demanded her 

 right. He rose subsequently not before eight 

 o'clock, over his frugal breakfast perused the 

 letters received, and answered the more im- 

 portant immediately. He afterwards dressed 

 himself, in order to receive visitors, or to make 

 visits himself. At two o'clock he was again at 

 home, at three drove, nearly every day, to 

 dinner at the royal palace, from whence re- 

 turning at seven, he occupied himself until nine 



